UN Reports Alarming Climate Change Effects and Urges Global Action for 2025
The United Nations reported on Monday that 2024 has experienced extreme weather and record heat due to climate change, making it likely the hottest year on record. Greenhouse gas emissions have reached unprecedented levels, contributing to these climate challenges. Urgent global action to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy is paramount to avert further climate deterioration.
In a startling report released on Monday, the United Nations underscored the alarming impact of climate change, which has led to extreme weather events and unprecedented heat levels in 2024. As noted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this year is predicted to go down in history as the hottest on record. The continued rise in greenhouse gas emissions further exacerbates these conditions, sealing the fate of future climates.
Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the WMO, stated, “Climate change plays out before our eyes on an almost daily basis in the form of increased occurrence and impact of extreme weather events.” The past year has witnessed catastrophic rainfall, flooding, and significant loss of life across various countries, with tropical cyclones wreaking havoc, particularly in Mayotte, an overseas department of France. Meanwhile, extreme heat has gripped numerous nations, with temperatures soaring beyond 50 degrees Celsius.
The 2015 Paris climate agreements set ambitious targets, aiming to curtail global warming to under two degrees Celsius, ideally aiming for a maximum increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius when compared to pre-industrial levels. Recent reports suggest that the January to September averages of 2024 stand at 1.54 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Consequently, 2024 is set to surpass the previous records established in 2023, which already experienced an increase of 1.45 degrees Celsius. The WMO is expected to release the definitive global temperature statistics for 2024 in January, accompanied by a comprehensive State of the Global Climate report in March.
In his New Year address, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked on the concerning trends, stating, “Today I can officially report that we have just endured a decade of deadly heat.” He emphasized the urgent need for substantial reductions in emissions and the transition towards renewable energy solutions, with the upcoming year 2025 being pivotal for implementing safer environmental practices.
Climate change is an ongoing phenomenon characterized by shifts in temperature and weather patterns largely attributed to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. The global climate crisis has manifested in various forms, including rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and disrupted ecosystems. The Paris Agreement, established in 2015, serves as an international collaborative effort to mitigate global warming and its detrimental effects. As the global community grapples with the consequences of climate change, the year 2024 has emerged as a critical juncture for environmental policies and actions aimed at restoring ecological balance and protecting vulnerable populations.
In conclusion, the year 2024 has marked a notable escalation in the impacts of climate change, as evidenced by record heat and extreme weather events worldwide. The UN report highlights the urgency for immediate measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ remarks underscore the pressing need for global cooperation in combatting the climate crisis, with the upcoming year being crucial for setting the world on a more sustainable path moving forward.
Original Source: www.bangkokpost.com
